San Carlos de Bariloche Things to Do Tips by pili Top 5 Page for this destination

Cerro Otto

If you're returning from Circuito Chico, or heading away from town along Avenida Bustillo, turn uphill at Km 5 toward Avenida de los Pioneros and you'll get to the Cerro Otto cable car terminal.
Comfortable cable cars with background music and panoramic windows will carry you up to the top of Cerro Otto (1,405 m above sea level).

Cerro Tronador

Another option is hiking to Otto Meiling shelter at 2050 meters above sea level, an 18 km. climb through the forest and slopes covered by snow, where you can see glaciers from a short distance.
The views during the ascent are fantastics.-

Cascada de los Alerces (Waterfall)

The Cascada de Los Alerces (waterfall) is a variation of the excursion to the Cerro Tronador.
Before crossing the bridge over Río Manso, you go around Lake Los Moscos and Río Manso until you reach Lake Hess, the road ends after crossing the Roca River and you have to walk some 300 m. to get to a lookout point and admire the imposing Cascada de Los Alerces.
You will have to remember that the road, after Lake Mascardi is a dirt road and is one way for ascent until 2 p.m. and after that time is only one way for descent.
Ask for information about the condition of this road in the city, specially in the winter season, since it is frequently closed due to weather conditions. (see more pictures in the travelogue)

General San Martin Refuge

It is located on the left bank of the Lake Jakob, at 1600 mts. above sea level. From there you should visit: Laguna Témpanos, Paso Schweitzer, Cerros Cella, Schweitzer, Punta Refugio y Cuernos del Diablo.

Cerro Tronador

In the limit between Argentina and Chile, to the southeast of Bariloche, lies Cerro Tronador, the highest mountain in the area (3478 m), an enormous massif from which eight glaciers descend.
A clasical complete day tour by bus to Cerro Tronador sometimes includes a visit to Cascada Los Alerces. Another option combines a short sail on Lago Mascardi and a bus ride.
In summer, you can use public transport up to Los Rapidos and Pampa Linda.
You can also complete this tour with a private vehicule, in wich case it is necessary to find out about the timetable of the roads (one way roads).You can see more details in my travelogue.-

Circuito Chico

This is the most traditional short distance tour in Bariloche circles the south coast of Lago Nahuel Huapi towards the west, and is accesible by car, organized tours or public transport.
This pleasant drive starts in the town centre and goes west by Ezequiel Bustillo Ave. along the southern shore of the nahuel Huapi Lake .
After 8 kms. you arrive at Playa Bonita where you have a wide view of the Huemul Island.
Cerro Campanario is 18 kms. away from town along this road, There you can take a chairlift to the summit to overlook lakes Nahuel Huapi and Moreno, Victoria Island, Llao Llao Hotel, Peninsula San Pedro, El Trebol Lagoon and mountains such as Millaqueo, Capilla, López, Goye, Catedral and Otto. The ride continues passing by Peninsula Llao Llao, where the famous Llao Llao Hotel and San Eduardo Chapel are situated, arriving then at Puerto Pañuelo on the Nahuel Huapi Lake.
The drives goes on through a dense forest of Coihues trees on that is considered a municipal protected area and where you can hike on clearly marked trails.-
After going over the bridge that crosses the stream that joins the Moreno with the Nahuel Huapi lakes, the road follows the southern shore of Lake Moreno passing by Mount López and Punto Panorámico (a scenic view point overlooking lakes Moreno and Nahuel Huapi and Peninsula Llao Llao). You cross the bridge over the narrowest point on Lake Moreno, then you border El Trebol Lagoon and later the road takes back to Ezequiel Bustillo Ave from where you return to the city. (see the pictures in my travelogue)

Arrayanes Forest

A wooden path enables you to reach the most attraction in the forest, such as the picturesque “Walt Disney cabin”, where you can have a drink or get some souvenirs and handcraft.-

Arrayanes Forest

The same tour that takes you to Victoria Island, includes a visit to the arrayan wood, located on the southeast coast of Quetrihue Peninsula. The arrayanes forest is unique in the world. These myrtle trees can be found in other areas inside and outside the national park, mainly near rivers and lakes. But this is an exceptional pure forest, where some trees can reach 15 m hogh, and be almost 650 years old. The arrayan is an unmistakable tree for its cinnamon color and is completely smooth bark. As this bark peels off (like the eucaliptus) whitish and reddish spots appear on trunks and branches. It blooms at the end of the summer producing tiny white beautiful flowers.-

A cruise to Victoria Island (3)

Something you cannot miss is the chairlift that takes you to the observation deck on Bella Vista Mount. There, on the Maravilla Balcony you can admire the magnificent panorama.

A cruise to Victoria Island (2)

Disembarking in Port Anchorena, you will be able to walk along paths surrounded by luxuriant vegetation where a variety of native and exotic trees (part of a former tree nursery) can be found. Among the various paths you can take, one leads you to Playa del Toro (Bull Beach) where it is possible to observe the rupestre paintings and rest on the beach, enjoying impressive panorama.-